Met officer wins discrimination case

Kevin Maxwell says he was racially and sexually discriminated against by Scotland Yard

23/02/2012 01:42 PM

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JUSTICE: Kevin Maxwell has won his discrimination case against Scotland Yard

A BLACK gay police officer has won a case of racial and sexual orientation discrimination against Scotland Yard, it has been reported.

Det Con Kevin Maxwell, 33, who works in the Met Police's counter terrorism command, reportedly told the tribunal he was exposed to racist and homophobic comments from other officers and seniors during duty and training sessions, which he found to be an offensive environment to work in.

"Such practices and behaviour have no place in a modern police service," Simon Cuthbert, a solicitor who represented Maxwell on his case, told the tribunal.

He continued: "This welcome judgment represents a positive step in rooting out any remaining prejudice in the force."

Scotland Yard said it was disappointed at the tribunal's findings and would launch an internal investigation, which will be supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

"We are disappointed at the tribunal's findings in favour of Detective Constable Maxwell on nine counts," said a Scotland Yard spokesman.

He added: "However, this must be viewed in the context that he made over 100 allegations to the employment tribunal in 113 pages and this needs now to be given full and careful consideration."

The tribunal found the 33-year-old, who has been a serving officer for 10 years, was subjected to direct discrimination, harassment and victimisation.